How do you tell if your eggs are ok for eating?

[rosemarythyme]

The first eggs I got, I cracked into a small bowl first to inspect them. Any shell less eggs or wonky eggs I fed to the dogs or just chucked them because I prefer my eggs a certain way. If you crack them in a bowl first you can get a look at them before putting them in a pan.

I really recommend doing this, especially at the beginning. It'll make you feel better to inspect the eggs (and possibly save you from ruining an omelet, as new layers can have some glitches) and it'll also help you figure out if certain birds are problem layers. For example my Buff Orp has meat spots in about 95% of her eggs, so I always check her eggs as I crack them (usually cracking them first) to see if there's any spots to remove. I also never use her eggs for hard boiling for the same reason.

 

[Chcknjnky]

I really recommend doing this, especially at the beginning. It'll make you feel better to inspect the eggs (and possibly save you from ruining an omelet, as new layers can have some glitches) and it'll also help you figure out if certain birds are problem layers. For example my Buff Orp has meat spots in about 95% of her eggs, so I always check her eggs as I crack them (usually cracking them first) to see if there's any spots to remove. I also never use her eggs for hard boiling for the same reason.

I've never heard of meat spots. Can you clarify what that is for us that are new to this?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've never heard of meat spots. Can you clarify what that is for us that are new to this?

They're bits of the reproductive tract that end up sloughed off in the egg. See: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/ for photos and a description (go about halfway down the page).

They are completely safe to eat but not very eye appealing.

 

[mixedbreeds]

I read in your post that you will have the run on a grassy area, it won’t be grassy for long your chickens will tear it up until it’s just dirt. Then you will need to pick something to put in there be it straw, pine chips, sand or whatever. Some people use leaves I use straw. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Celticdragonfly]

I read in your post that you will have the run on a grassy area, it won’t be grassy for long your chickens will tear it up until it’s just dirt. Then you will need to pick something to put in there be it straw, pine chips, sand or whatever. Some people use leaves I use straw. Good luck and have fun.

Yep, I'm expecting that. Probably pine chips for the run.